Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

I know at least three other books, maybe more, have been mentioned in the past as similar, or possibly of interest to those who enjoyed this book.

I'll try to look for the posts another time, and copy it/them here (or, if it was YOUR post(s), go ahead and repost in this thread, then I won't have to look for it/them :D).

heh ~

I mentioned a couple of books... They're not really related, just my favorites by Vonnegut so far.

My two favorites have been Mother Night and Bluebeard.

Though I have to admit that most people would recommend Cat's Cradle or Breakfast of Champions instead.

(I go more for cynical/sarcastic humor, whereas the general opinion goes more for the laugh-out-loud humor.)

As a general note, for those of you who liked The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams said that Vonnegut in general but especially The Sirens of Titan was a big influence on his writing. I did notice quite a few common points between them - including the fact that both heroes wander around in a dirty bathrobe.

ahh, good! ty :)

There is also the Hugh Howey one I keep hawking (even though I haven't read it :p) Peace in Amber: The World of Kurt Vonnegut.

The audible review mentions Catch-22 fans would appreciate the similarity, which reminded me that after Kat read Catch and Slaughter, she said the logical next best read would be Gravity's Rainbow, by Thomas Pynchon.

(I haven't read that one either, so I can't comment on it. I hear it's a challenging read, tho.)

Audible review of Slaughterhouse, mentioning Catch:

Kurt Vonnegut's absurdist classic Slaughterhouse-Five introduces us to Billy Pilgrim, a man who becomes 'unstuck in time' after he is abducted by aliens from the planet Tralfamadore. In a plot-scrambling display of virtuosity, we follow Pilgrim simultaneously through all phases of his life, concentrating on his (and Vonnegut's) shattering experience as an American prisoner of war who witnesses the firebombing of Dresden.
Slaughterhouse-Five is not only Vonnegut's most powerful book, it is also as important as any written since 1945. Like Catch-22, it fashions the author's experiences in the Second World War into an eloquent and deeply funny plea against butchery in the service of authority. Slaughterhouse-Five boasts the same imagination, humanity, and gleeful appreciation of the absurd found in Vonnegut's other works, but the book's basis in rock-hard, tragic fact gives it unique poignancy, and humor.
©1969 Kurt Vonnegut; (P)2003 HarperCollinsPublishers, Inc.
link:
http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fant...

MK wrote: "ahh, good! ty :)

There is also the Hugh Howey one I keep hawking (even though I haven't read it :p) Peace in Amber: The World of Kurt Vonnegut.
...."


This is my next. Going to pick it up now :)

I'd agree that if you liked Slaughterhouse 5, then Catch 22 is a good book to follow up with. It has a similar feel with the absurdity of situations in WW2 and I enjoyed them both very much. Catch 22 took a little while to get into, as it's confusing at first, but it's well worth the effort.

Just thought I'd mention that Amazon has many of Vonnegut's books available to Prime members in the Kindle lending library right now. Slaughterhouse-Five was the first Vonnegut I've read, but I'm looking forward to reading more!